The handicaps at Cheltenham are where punters really earn their crust and can often offer the best value and biggest priced winners.
Twelve months ago just two favourites won in the nine handicaps ran while Jeff Kidder (80-1), Heaven Help Us (33-1), Vintage Clouds (28-1) and Belfast Banter (25-1) were glorious results for the bookmakers.
This year will be no different with several big-priced winners likely. Here we hope to guide you to a few who could make the frame at decent odds.
FANTASTIKAS
(Ultima Handicap Chase)
One race the Irish have a wretched record in, with Dun Doire in 2006 our last winner.
That points to another English-trained winner and locally-based Nigel Twiston Davies may have the answer with FANTASTIKAS.
He’s a progressive and lightly-raced seven-year-old that runs in the Imperial Racing colours carried to victory here in the past by Imperial Commander and Imperial Aura.
A moderate hurdler, he has done well over fences and finished third to L’Homme Presse in a Grade Two here on New Year’s Day. That horse has won a Grade One since and the step up in distance should really suit as he also holds a National Hunt Chase entry so stamina is not a problem.
SEA SESSIONS
(Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle)
We’ve seen in the past how horses with teak tough racing experience do well in this event and Ross O’Sullivan’s (left) SEA SESSIONS is one that interests us here.
He’s enjoying an excellent year as a trainer with his wife Katie Walsh and has already sent this filly to win at Aintree in December before another cross channel visit saw her lose out by a short-head to Six Feet Under at Doncaster.
She carried a penalty that afternoon and looks to be improving with her racing having also chased home the smart Fil Dor at Down Royal.
THE VERY MAN
(Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle)
The Coral Cup is one of the more fiendish races of the week. Some 27 runners around 2m5f tests any punters’ picking with Heaven Help Us springing a huge 33-1 shock here 12 months ago.
Jessica Harrington has more or less turned her attention to flat horses but she still likes to keep her hand in with some jumpers and THE VERY MAN is a Moone inmate that could be well treated here.
He who won six times for Gordon Elliott and Denise Foster in the Gigginstown silks got off the mark for his new yard at Navan in January beating subsequent winner Palace Rock.
He really dug deep after the last and his proven stamina stood to him.
He could go for Friday’s Martin Pipe either but on that evidence he’s a player wherever he goes.
He’s owned by rugby players Dan Kiely and Rob Kearney and is only 2lbs higher here than his Irish mark.
THE GLANCING QUEEN
(Paddy Power Plate)
THE GLANCING QUEEN is a mare we’ve been following and she can run a massive race in the Paddy Power Plate on Thursday.
She ran well in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle last year and was best of the rest behind subsequent Grade One winner L’Homme Presse at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
A lenient mark of 141 might persuade trainer Alan King to swerve the Mares’ Chase in favour of this for Alan King — who also has Edwardstone in the Arkle tomorrow.
Prior to Cheltenham the Jeremy mare had not put a foot wrong after following up her debut victory over fences in a Listed contest at Bangor On Dee in November with another flawless display under a penalty at the same level in the Lady Godiva Mares’ Novices’ Chase at Warwick.
MY MATE MOZZIE
(County Hurdle)
Gavin Cromwell is one of those trainers that when he hits form he hits red hot form — and his horses might be worth a second look this week.
He left Cheltenham with two winners last season and MY MATE MOZZIE looks to have a squeak in the County Hurdle on Friday.
He has been competing in Grade Ones in novice company this season — going close in the Royal Bond — and on his handicap debut he look a dangerous one to dismiss.
His run at Christmas behind Sir Gerhard wasn’t a true showing at a point in time when the yard’s form was not quite firing on all cylinders.
But it certainly is now.
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